Catch all the live updates on the Madhya Pradesh political crisis here.
The Madhya Pradesh Congress Legislature Party has moved the Supreme Court, accusing BJP of ‘abducting’ and keeping in captivity its 16 MLAs, seeking their release from ‘BJP's captivity’.
In a letter to the governor, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Kamal Nath on Tuesday 17 March, asked for the release of the rebel MLAs for 'Independent Decision'.
Earlier on the day, the Supreme Court issued notice to speaker, chief minister and governor in Madhya Pradesh on the plea filed by the BJP seeking a floor test in the Assembly within 12 hours.
BJP had filed the plea on Monday after the speaker adjourned the House till 26 March citing the coronavirus scare. The SC will hear the matter on Wednesday at 10.30 am.
- The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice to MP government on the plea filed by the MP BJP unit asking for an early floor test
- Rebel Congress MLAs held a press conference on Tuesday at a Bangalore resort saying they were unhappy with the Congress government
- Jumping ship to the BJP last week, Scindia said the Congress is not the party it used to be and there is no room for new leadership in it
- 22 Congress MLAs had tendered their resignation from the House, with the Speaker having accepted resignations of six MLAs
- The current effective strength of the House is 228, with two seats vacant
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SC to Hear on Wednesday BJP's Plea to Hold Floor Test
The Supreme Court is scheduled on Wednesday, 18 March, to hear the petition filed by former Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and others to hold floor test in the State Assembly at the earliest, ANI reported.
'Manoj Chaudhary & Other MLAs Detained Illegally': Plea in SC By Congress MLA's Brother
The brother of Manoj Chaudhary, an MP Congress MLA, has filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court, seeking the MLA's release.
According to Livelaw, the petitioner has claimed that Chaudhary was abducted from his residence and is being held by BJP members along with other MP MLAs at a private resort in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The report also says that he claims that it would be undemocratic and unconstitutional to conduct the floor test if the MLAs who are being held in captivity are not released before the floor test.
"That the detenue is being forcefully held captive under the clout of the state of the ruling party with the aid and help of the police authorities of the state of Karnataka, completely against his free will and consent," the petition says, according to Livelaw.
MP Speaker Writes Letter to Governor Over Resignation Letters of 16 MLAs
Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker NP Prajapati has written a letter to Governor Lalji Tandon saying," I received resignations of 16 MLAs through other people. MLAs were directed to be present in person according to rules of House but none of them complied. Resignations are under consideration."
According to ANI, the letter further states,"Family members of some of the 16 MLAs have expressed concerns over safety of the MLAs. I am very worried about these MLAs and request you to take concrete steps to allay our fears".
Shivraj Singh Chouhan Warns Kamal Nath Government Over Appointments
“The Kamal Nath government knows that it doesn't have majority in the assembly but still is making appointments on constitutional posts. Some officers are working on the government order, I want to warn those officers that I am making a list of them all, will deal with them one by one,” Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Tuesday.